The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Smith’s first book, and the one he kept revising for thirty years. Moral judgement, he argues, runs on sympathy — our capacity to imagine ourselves into another’s situation — and we learn to approve and disapprove of ourselves by internalising that outside view as an “impartial spectator”. Prudence, justice and beneficence are worked out from there, with no appeal to divine command or to a moral sense organ.

Why it’s on the list: It opens the Foundations of Modern Economics section, ahead of The Wealth of Nations: the list’s position is that Smith’s economics rests on his moral psychology, and reading the market book without this one gets Smith wrong.

Where I saw it: On Brendan McCord’s Philosopher-Entrepreneur Reading List, in the section on Foundations of Modern Economics, saved to Kyle’s “Books To Read” Apple Note. The full 211-entry transcription lives on The Philosopher-Entrepreneur Reading List.

Connections

• Adam Smith — the author.
• The Wealth of Nations — Smith’s other book, also on Kyle’s list and in the same section.
• Moral Philosophy — the field this book works in.
• The Philosopher-Entrepreneur Reading List — the list this came from.